Turn your phone into a mobile museum

The coronavirus has seen a number of businesses like museums and galleries shut down over the recent weeks, meaning months could pass before you’re able to enjoy inspiring artworks and sculptures again.

While it may not be exactly like the real thing, you’ve got your very own mini-museum in your pocket waiting to be downloaded called Google Arts and Culture.

Launched over a decade ago, Google Arts and Culture features thousands of high-quality images from over 1,200 galleries and museums across the world.

The wonderful thing about the Google Arts and Culture is the fact that it not only shows you different artworks throughout history, but it allows to interact with each piece with a simple swipe of your finger, meaning you can get even closer to your favourite painting than if you were actually standing in front of it in real life.

The app also features virtual reality tours in which you’re placed into the gallery itself while a voice-over provides a detailed breakdown of what you’re looking at.

Another feature that is sure to keep you entertained for hours is how the application interacts with your camera. For example, if you take a selfie through the app, it will show you famous portraits that look like you. It also has an interesting AR feature that lets you see what famous paintings will look like if they were hanging on your wall at home.

If you’re looking to kill some time, and learn something new at the same time, download Google Arts and culture for iOS here, and Android here.